Point-scoring and opportunist politics alienates the electorate, says Jill Segger. If the "new politics" of May 2010 is to have any meaning, politicians and party activists must find a way of combining the legitimate battle of ideas with a more consensual and creative approach to the common good.

As the main parties try to re-instate 'politics as usual' in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal and growing dissatisfaction with the current system, a new wave of potential non-party candidates is emerging in the wings.